Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Elaine Reiser 2011 ATHENA Award Winner

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Elaine Reiser, Former Director of Helpline at Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc. was named the 2011 ATHENA Award Recipient by the Metro South Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 16 during a conference and expo at the Shaw's Center in Brockton.
Reiser (pictured above) was director of Helpline at Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., BAMSI, for 37 years.
MetroSouth officials said Elaine epitomizes the ideals established through the ATHENA Award: powerful dedication; compassion to help women and those in need; spirit of community; the demand of excellence from her staff; and a passionate drive to make Helpline a recognized model across the region.
Reiser initiated and developed the concept of an information and referral service to encompass medical and human service needs for residents of the Greater Plymouth County Area.
In 1976, Reiser brought Helpline to BAMSI where it grew into a multi-faceted information and referral system connecting people in need with housing, medical, and other vital emergency services.
Through this initiative, Reiser has saved thousands of individuals in emergency crises, including the homeless and those living without food or heat.
When the housing crisis became a critical disaster in Brockton, Reiser created and designed BAMSI’s “First Stop Program,” a model of services to help those in at-risk households to prevent future homelessness.
This program has had one of the highest placement rates in Massachusetts with a 97% success rate.
Reiser's work was also instrumental in shaping the state-wide Mass211 initiative, modeled on Reiser’s Information and Referral Program and Helpline.
Over her 36-plus years at BAMSI, Reiser has served as a role model for the dozens of women who have worked for her through the Helpline, as well as those families, primarily women, who have come pleading for emergency help.
In the community, Reiser has worked on numerous mayor’s task forces on health and human Services.
She was a founding member of the MainSpring Coalition for the Homeless and served on the Massachusetts Coalition for Homeless for 20 years.
Reiser also served as president of the United Way of Greater Plymouth County’s Agency Executives, was president of Community Services of Greater Brockton for eight years and Treasurer for 10 years.
Statewide, Reiser has served as president of the Massachusetts Association of Information and Referral Services.
She has received countless honors, awards, and accolades for her exemplary service.
Reiser is now retired and lives with her husband, Ed, in Sharon.
The International ATHENA Award is presented to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in his/her business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in reaching their full leadership potential. The ATHENA Awards Program was created in 1982 and has expanded to over 500 cities. The Metro South Chamber of Commerce believes in the values underlying the ATHENA Foundation’s philosophy of incorporating the talents and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, communities and government.
Prior recipients of the ATHENA Award include Anne DeMinico, St. Joseph Manor, Sue Joss, Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, Vanessa Tierny, Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., Dr. Susan Szachowicz, Brockton High School Principal, Loretta DeGrazia, East Coast Petroleum, Marianne Wroble Cox, WXBR 1460 AM, Shailah Stewart, Brockton Public Schools, Dr. Linda Faria Braun, Adult Learning Center, Christine Karavites, Proteas Customized Consulting, Barbara Duffy, Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., Noelle Foye, Fuller Craft Museum, Janice Cunningham, E. Bridgewater Police Officer.
As part of the ATHENA Program, there was an expo and conference featuring over 20 businesses and a presentation by Dr. Carol Hardy-Fanta, Director of the Center of Women in Politics & Public Policy at UMass Boston.
(Photo courtesy MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce)

Store Front Improvement Fete June 23

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Mayor Linda M. Balzotti will join Brockton 21st Century Corporation Executive Director Mary Waldron, representatives from the Brockton Redevelopment Authority and local business owner Barry Gaughran to celebrate the completion of the latest Façade Improvement Program project on Main Street Thursday, June 23 at 3 p.m.
The event will take place at 278-286 Main St.
The goal of the Façade Improvement Program is to leverage private investment in the physical and aesthetic improvement of commercial properties with store fronts and enhance the attractiveness of targeted areas within the City of Brockton.
For more information about this event or the Façade Improvement Program, please contact Paul Morrison at 508-586-3887.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Bernardi Auto Group Opens Brockton Showrooms

Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Bernardi Auto Group held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony to highlight the opening of two new showrooms on Manley Street in Brockton.
“The city has been wonderful to work with,” said Jim Carney, Bernardi’s president and owner.
During ceremonies Thursday, June 16 Carney and Mayor Linda Balzotti cut a red-ribbon to officially open new Honda and Hyundai dealerships. (Pictured above left, with Balzotti, center, and State Rep. Michael Brady)
Carney also donated $5,000 to the city’s Brockton After Dark program which offers a host of free activities for youth and teens that takes place during summer nights.
Construction of the two new showrooms began last October.
The Hyundai show room has been open for more than a month. Its grand opening was held Wednesday, June 15 during a private reception.
Carney said the two dealerships employ close to 100 people and he hopes as the business grows that number will be increased to about 300.
One feature of the new Honda showroom is Jimbo’s Diner, (right) a 1950s-style diner that serves breakfast and lunch—meals that will be offered free to customers bringing their vehicles in for service.